Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Elementary Job Alike

Elementary Job Alike Notes on Best Practices and the things we do to “survive” day to day.
Facilitator- Sandy Kelly

Promoting Reading in our schools
  • K-3 Reading Incentive Programs with a different theme each year. “Books Ahoy” – a pirate theme. Each class has a pirate ship on a world map. Students fill in a bookmark with the hours of reading read. K-1= one hour, Grade 2 = 2 hours of outside reading, the ship moves on a trip around the world. First class to make trip around the world uncovers the treasure chest with freebies inside.
  • Invite teachers to bring class to library during Drop Everything and Read time, teacher checks out books (or aide/volunteer) while library teacher conferences with students
  • Teach children to check their own books in and out
  • Encourage teachers to assist children with book selection as they know child’s reading ability, parent or teacher preferences and any special needs of the students.
  • Marian books
  • Shelf Elf
  • Old Mr. Wiggle series

Question about book limit policy, only one book, must return to check another.
Suggestions:
  • Allow student to check out a “class” book in the teacher’s name and it must stay in the classroom to read.
  • Hold book over night for one day.

Assessment Examples
  • Scavenger Hunt-students practice research skills (done wt. Grade 3) using reference, nonfiction and one specific webpage to answer questions about Massachusetts. Before moving on to next source student fills in short “exit survey” with questions like Was this tool easy to use? Were you able to find any of the answers? Do you need help using this resource? After collecting slips compile data as a tool to evaluate success of lesson, how to fine tune and to differentiate instruction.
  • Upper grades- correct student’s “Works Cited”
  • Gr 5 – culminating project with rubric to grade completed project
  • Gr 4- rubric checklist to aid organizational skills
  • K-1 – ABC Superstars using six stations. When completed student receives a necklace with six beads
  • Student handouts: What did you learn? What are you going to do with this information? What went well/what didn’t?

This was a great discussion group. Lot’s of good ideas were shared, positive and thoughtful sharing of what works or what might work well in specific situations. I wish we all had more time to share and brainstorm our best practices…

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